Magnolias in Bloom at San Francisco Botanical Garden

I've been so busy with the promotion of my new book, California Month-by-Month Gardening, that I'm afraid I let the entire month of January slip by without posting. Have you been making the most of the dry, warm weather we've been having? Have you been gardening?

I have managed to get some time in the garden, but there's still plenty to do. However, I'm hoping that in the next few weeks I'll be able to carve out some time to get to the San Francisco Botanical Garden to enjoy the magnolias in bloom. The Garden, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, has nearly 100 magnolias including 51 species and 33 cultivars. You can pick up a free Magnolia Walk map so you don't miss any of the spectacular trees, or you can go for a docent-led tour. Either way, here are some samples of what you'll see:

Magnolia campbellii. Photo by Bob Gunderson.

Magnolia doltsopa. Photo by James Gaither.

Magnolia campbellii 'Darjeeling'. Photo by Larry Beckerman.

Magnolia campbellii. Photo by Brian Fitzgerald.

 

Magnolia campbellii. Photo by Richard Shewmaker.

 

Magnolia doltsopa. Photo by James Gaither.

Magnolia dawsoniana. Photo by Saxon Holt.

Magnolia doltsopa. Photo by Travis Lange.

Magnolia stellata. Photo by Toto Hartono.

Magnolia campbellii. Photo by Tom Karlo.